The Benefits of Pre-Field Cross-Cultural Training with an Organization
Stepping into a new cultural context for the first time can be overwhelming. The excitement of going to the mission field can quickly...
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UPSTREAM BLOG
The Upstream Blog is published two times a week and contains content from missions leaders, pastors, missiologists, and the Upstream team on a wide variety of topics pertaining to being a sending church. Leave us some comments or questions!
Chris Howles
- Sep 2
- 4 min
The Importance of Pre-Field Cross-Cultural Training
“The task is too urgent … forget about training, let’s just get going!” “These training schemes are not biblical … you don’t see Paul...
Ryan Martin
- Aug 12
- 8 min
How to Say “No” or “Not Yet” to Missionary Candidates
Typically, when I’ve moved to a new town, I like to take some time to explore various routes from point A to point B. I’m always looking...
Christian Townson
- Jan 9
- 4 min
Developing Leaders and Missionaries through Short-Term Trips
Most churches channel their efforts into cross-cultural missions through short-term trips, enabling church members to experience the...
Steve Allison
- Apr 17, 2023
- 4 min
Why Missions Organizations Utilize Psych Evaluations
Mental health has become a major focus in our post-COVID world, as rates of depression, suicide, and anxiety are climbing at alarming...
Mike Easton
- Nov 10, 2022
- 3 min
Training Sent Ones for Multiplicative Discipleship
We should teach our future missionaries the principles of multiplicative discipleship no matter which church model they encounter.
Luke T.
- Nov 7, 2022
- 3 min
Training Church Members for Cross-Cultural Living in Everyday Life
Discipleship 101: Pray, read your Bible, go to church, participate in cross-cultural training . . . Wait, what? Isn’t that the kind of...
Bradley Bell
- Nov 3, 2022
- 5 min
So You Wanna Be a Missionary—Who Are You Discipling?
I love the enthusiasm I encounter among aspiring missionaries. It drips from them like water from your hands when there are no paper...
Mike Easton
- Apr 28, 2022
- 3 min
The Importance of Local International Ministry in Mobilization
As missions leaders, we work hard to get our people overseas on short-term trips and as long-term missionaries. This is an awesome...
Mike Easton
- Apr 4, 2022
- 6 min
Evaluation Tools & Personality Tests for Potential Sent Ones
As we begin this month’s focus on Missions Mobilization, we wanted to provide some helpful tools for you to use in evaluating those who...
Susan McCrary
- Aug 27, 2021
- 1 min
Suggested Resources for Raising Families Overseas
Raising families overseas is not easy, but you're not alone. Here are some helpful resources for raising families overseas.
The Upstream Collective
- Aug 6, 2021
- 1 min
Resource of the Week: Security Tips for Your Short-Term Teams
While it's never fun to consider how to respond to crises, it's important to learn how to equip your short-term teams for such occasions.
Matthew Hirt
- Jun 7, 2021
- 5 min
The Role of Theological Education in the Missionary Task
The global church needs theological educators committed to missionary efforts and missionaries committed to theological education.
D. Scott Hildreth
- May 27, 2021
- 3 min
When Evangelism Isn't Your Spiritual Gift
The best way to learn to share Christ is by doing it. The challenge is to anchor our faith in Christ and step out by faith.
Mike Easton
- Mar 22, 2021
- 3 min
Overview of Sending Church Element 9: Developing Sent Ones
Working hard to develop character prior to going overseas is best for the Sent-One and for the team receiving them on the field.
Mike Easton
- Aug 13, 2020
- 2 min
Suggested Resources for Missionary Development
In my last two articles, I talked about helping missionaries attain emotional health and training them in multiplicative discipleship....
Mike Easton
- Aug 6, 2020
- 4 min
Developing Emotionally Healthy Sent Ones
In short, we believe emotionally healthy spirituality is key to missionary flourishing and longevity.
Anonymous
- Jul 23, 2020
- 1 min
Unlocked, Part 3: Questions for Discussion and Application
If you’ve experienced lockdowns, disrupted lives, and are still experiencing uncertainty, we encourage you to consider these questions.
The Upstream Collective
- Jun 4, 2020
- 2 min
Helpful Resources for Becoming a Sending Church
There is a lot involved with becoming a sending church. Here are some resources to help you.
Larry McCrary
- May 11, 2020
- 5 min
Taking the Attitude of a Learner as You Prepare to Move Overseas
Those who plan to work overseas need to have a learner’s attitude and make changes in how they live in preparation for life abroad.
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